Montgomery County's fire crews pulled people from the Potomac River during a federal immigration enforcement operation on Wednesday, but neither they nor county police assisted ICE in any way, the county's top two elected officials said in a joint statement Thursday.
County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Natali Fani-González said Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service responded to reports of people in the water near Lock 7 along Clara Barton Parkway and "focused solely on life-saving operations, ensuring everyone reached shore safely before ending the rescue."
County police responded only to provide safety assistance and left once their help was no longer needed, according to the statement. Officers did not participate in the pursuit, detention, apprehension, or enforcement actions tied to the federal operation.
The joint statement is the most detailed public account from county leadership of each agency's role during the incident.
What happened on July 22
U.S. Park Police were conducting a commercial vehicle stop on Clara Barton Parkway near the Glen Echo turnaround when three people got out of the vehicle and ran, according to WTOP. Park Police identified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as the arresting agency. MCFRS swiftwater boats launched and crews spent several hours searching the river. Two of the three people were taken into custody, NBC4 reported. The status of the third person has not been confirmed.
Bystanders were seen on a Beltway overpass holding signs warning drivers about ICE activity on Clara Barton Parkway during the search, WTOP reported.
Trust Act invoked
Elrich and Fani-González reaffirmed that county agencies operate under Montgomery County's Trust Act, formally known as the Promoting Community Trust – Immigrant Protections Act. The law, enacted February 10, prohibits county agents from stopping, detaining, or arresting anyone based on immigration status or a civil administrative warrant.
On July 22, while the river search was still underway, Elrich told WTOP: "We've tried to be careful to not mislead people into thinking that we've got the ability to protect them from ICE, because we don't."
The joint statement did not announce any follow-up investigation or policy review related to the incident.
Residents who witness an emergency along the Potomac River or Clara Barton Parkway can call 911. To report concerns about civil rights violations, contact the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights at 240-777-8450.
